Diversity of polyomaviruses and papillomaviruses in penguins from eastern and western Antarctica.

ABSTRACT: Polyomaviruses and papillomaviruses are icosahedral viruses with small circular dsDNA genomes. Limited information on their diversity and evolution in avian hosts is available, with even less known regarding Antarctic penguins. Prior to this study, only one polyomavirus and two papillomaviruses had been identified in Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae). To expand our knowledge of these viruses in Antarctic penguins, we collected faecal and cloacal swab samples from 246 Adélie penguins over 3 breeding seasons (2021-2024) and 10 emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) during the 2023-2024 season on Ross Island (Ross Sea). Additionally, we sampled 66 Adélie, 40 chinstrap (Pygoscelis antarcticus) and 71 gentoo (Pygoscelis papua) penguins during the 2022-2023 season

SUBMITTER: Regney M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12643040 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature